ZeroAvia receives DOA from CAA

Image courtesy ZeroAvia

The accreditation confirms that the CAA is satisfied that ZeroAvia has the technical expertise, facilities and capabilities to design safe and reliable products, and is prepared to comply with stringent requirements for certification.

The award means that ZeroAvia has become the first company globally seeking to certify a hydrogen-electric aviation powertrain to receive DOA accreditation from a national regulator. The award confirms that a manufacturer is qualified to design and hold a type certificate for propulsion systems developed under commercial aviation regulations. These requirements are intended to ensure safe global market entry and have been adopted by other regulatory authorities, including EASA and the FAA. 

Securing DOA represents an essential enabler towards the company’s goal of securing a type certificate for its ZA600 – a 600kW powertrain which uses fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, thus powering electric motors to turn aircraft propellers. Water vapour is the only emission from the engine, and it promises greater efficiency and reduced maintenance costs for airlines. 

Achieving DOA status follows two other significant regulatory milestones for ZeroAvia this year, with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issuing both G-1 and P-1 issue papers in relation to ZeroAvia’s bid to certify its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS). The 600kW EPS is made up of the company’s proprietary motor and power electronics technology and is both an integral part of the overall ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain, and a power-source agnostic electric engine in its own right, with a range of applications. 

Earlier this year, ZeroAvia confirmed that RVL Aviation intends to be the first operator to fly the ZA600 engine in a Cessna Caravan 208b on cargo routes in the UK. The company is also working to scale the hydrogen-electric propulsion technology for larger segments of aircraft and has secured thousands of engine pre-orders with airlines across the world. 

The company has established a unique range of test facilities at its UK R&D and flight testing centre at Cotswold Airport, enabling an efficient testing programme to satisfy the means of compliance that it is in the process of agreeing with the CAA. After rigorous inspection of the facilities, interviews with ZeroAvia’s team and audit of its process, the CAA was able to award the DOA.  

Keir Mather, UK Aviation Minister, said: “Backed by Government investment, it is fantastic to see ZeroAvia reach this major milestone and we look forward to seeing their hydrogen-electric engine taking to the skies next year. 

"We’re backing innovation like this to drive growth and support highly skilled jobs while providing the vital building blocks to help us to reach net zero in aviation by 2050.”  

Val Miftakhov, Founder & CEO,  ZeroAvia said: “It is a huge achievement for any start-up company in the aerospace sector to advance to the stage of DOA status, particularly in a highly novel technology area. Certifying an aircraft engine is necessarily an arduous journey, but the prize here is enabling thousands of aircraft to fly clean, quiet and with improved economics.” 

Giancarlo Buono, Group Director Safety & Airspace Regulation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “With the demand for air travel continuing to grow, it remains vital that we find sustainable solutions for the future of the aerospace industry. ZeroAvia’s Design Organisation Approval marks a step forward in the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion and introducing this technology safely into the sector. We look forward to continuing to work with organisations including ZeroAvia to drive forward towards a sustainable future for air travel.”